Why did I love this book?
I have to be honest, this novel blew me away. As a thriller writer believe me when I tell you it takes something extraordinary to keep me reading. Red Queen has that and more
The book revolves around its main character, Antonia Scott and a more enigmatic, prismatic woman I cannot imagine. She is such an extraordinary creation I’ll readily admit there were times while reading I wish I had created her. She is introduced to us as someone considering committing suicide, not because she’s in despair or down on her luck, but because of the very specific anomalies of her mind. In fact, Antonia’s mind is the core around which the entire novel revolves. Masterly.
Antonia is the Red Queen, but you'll have to find out for yourselves what that means. I make it a point never to divulge spoilers, ever. But as I read the novel, as I sank deeper and deeper, layer by layer, into Antonia’s psyche, I felt as if I had entered a labyrinth of mirrors.
There were traits I recognized as bizarre reflections of my own mind. I honestly have never read another book (except mine, I suppose!) where I so related to the main character in a world totally familiar to me – a parallel to the one I have created for my own hero, Evan Ryder.
As a long-time successful thriller writer I am always winkling out faults in thriller novels, much as a film director can’t help but find the flaws in other directors’ work. It’s not that I want to do that – I simply can’t help it; it’s the way my mind works. Which leads us back to Antonia, the Red Queen.
This novel has no faults. It is perfect, one I want to reread over and over. That’s the highest praise I can give.
2 authors picked Red Queen as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.
Now an Amazon Prime Original series, Red Queen is the first in Juan Gomez-Jurado's internationally bestselling thriller series, translated by Nick Caistor. Winner of the Cognac Prize 2022 with more than two million copies sold in Spain alone.
Sunday Times - Best Thriller Books of the Year
'A Spanish spin on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo . . . A female Sherlock Holmes' - The Times
You've never met anyone like her . . .
Antonia Scott is special. Very special. She is not a policewoman or a lawyer. She has never wielded a weapon or carried a badge,…